mac5155 wrote:So I found my grandfather's old single shot 22 in the attic. I'm curious of its safe to shoot. It has what looks kind of like a lever action on it, but when you move the lever you just slide a single shell into the hole in the end of the barrel and then cock it to put the firing pin on the shell, then shoot. Any dangers to this? Gun hasn't been shot in at least 25 years, he died in 91 and was sick prior.

Does anyone have any opinions on gun safes? I’m thinking of directing my tax refund toward an upgrade of my storage situation to a more substantial gun safe. Anyone have any opinions on brands like Cannon, Liberty, AMSEC, Fort Knox, etc.? At the moment, I’m leaning toward getting a Signature Series safe from Cabela’s because I have around $600 in Cabela’s Cash built up. The Signature Series is mostly a re-brand of the Liberty Franklin Series and Liberty Fatboy. There are some differences, like I believe interior lights are standard on the Liberty Franklins but not on the Cabela’s safes, but I think the mechanical guts are the same. Anyone have any opinions about Liberty's products?

Shyster wrote:Does anyone have any opinions on gun safes? I’m thinking of directing my tax refund toward an upgrade of my storage situation to a more substantial gun safe. Anyone have any opinions on brands like Cannon, Liberty, AMSEC, Fort Knox, etc.? At the moment, I’m leaning toward getting a Signature Series safe from Cabela’s because I have around $600 in Cabela’s Cash built up. The Signature Series is mostly a re-brand of the Liberty Franklin Series and Liberty Fatboy. There are some differences, like I believe interior lights are standard on the Liberty Franklins but not on the Cabela’s safes, but I think the mechanical guts are the same. Anyone have any opinions about Liberty's products?

Get one larger than you think you will ever need and make sure that delivery will include taking it up stairs if needed.

I plan on buying a safe rated for at least 40 long guns, and I know that number is usually inflated. I only have 10 long guns now, so that would give me plenty of room to buy more even if space is used up by scopes and the like. Also, the safe will go in my basement, which opens directly into my garage. If I buy one than can fit through the opening of that door, there will be no need to tackle any stairs. I could probably just wheel it in on a heavy-duty truck or dolly. I’m mostly mulling over the value of the thicker steel, higher fire ratings, thicker locking bolts, etc. that come with the pricier models.

Shyster wrote:I plan on buying a safe rated for at least 40 long guns, and I know that number is usually inflated. I only have 10 long guns now, so that would give me plenty of room to buy more even if space is used up by scopes and the like. Also, the safe will go in my basement, which opens directly into my garage. If I buy one than can fit through the opening of that door, there will be no need to tackle any stairs. I could probably just wheel it in on a heavy-duty truck or dolly. I’m mostly mulling over the value of the thicker steel, higher fire ratings, thicker locking bolts, etc. that come with the pricier models.

Go look at how the insides of safes are configured and see if that will work with what you anticipate you will have. Example some layouts are better for large rifles with big scopes on them, Some are better for old military rifles that mainly use iron sights, Some have shelf configurations that allow you to store a lot of long black powder rifles and long barrel shotguns, some have a configuration for quick access to home defense guns (keeps them up front and untangled).

Also make sure there is room for whatever else you are going to store in there. I like to keep documents and a NAS drive running in mine. Do you plan on storing ammo? Digital cameras? Gun Magazines ? Just keep in mind that it doesn't have to be just a gun safe.

Make sure you can get a sleeve that goes on the inside of the door to hold pistols, that is about the best accessory you can get (next to a good dehumid system).

Thanks all for the advice. The safe will certainly be holding more than just guns. I’m much more of a handgunner than a shooter of rifles or shotguns, so the safe will mostly be holding those. It will also be holding some documents, as well as certain other valuable items. Both Liberty and Cannon offer door liners, and I plan on getting one whatever safe I buy. I’m mostly just wondering if it’s worth it to get the thicker steel and the like.

According to my research, gun safes aren’t really “safes.” Underwriters Laboratories, for example, certifies them as “Residential Security Containers.” The things that are actually certified as safes are way heavier and more expensive than gun safes. For example, AMSEC makes both types of containers. A container that meets the higher UL classification for safes and is around the same size as a gun safe weighs something like 1,000 lbs. more than a gun safe and costs around $10,000. I’m really trying to decide what is “good enough” when it comes to my needs.

My soon-to-be brother in law has a Champion Triumph Series safe that holds roughly 40 guns. He researched the hell out of the things and determined that was the one he wanted, and drove to Ohio to get it at a gun show. It looks pretty sweet and is a great layout. Like you, he is more into handguns but has a few long rifles of various types. He is Ret. US Army so he has a lot of that stuff in there that they allowed him to keep.

Shyster wrote:Thanks all for the advice. The safe will certainly be holding more than just guns. I’m much more of a handgunner than a shooter of rifles or shotguns, so the safe will mostly be holding those. It will also be holding some documents, as well as certain other valuable items. Both Liberty and Cannon offer door liners, and I plan on getting one whatever safe I buy. I’m mostly just wondering if it’s worth it to get the thicker steel and the like.

According to my research, gun safes aren’t really “safes.” Underwriters Laboratories, for example, certifies them as “Residential Security Containers.” The things that are actually certified as safes are way heavier and more expensive than gun safes. For example, AMSEC makes both types of containers. A container that meets the higher UL classification for safes and is around the same size as a gun safe weighs something like 1,000 lbs. more than a gun safe and costs around $10,000. I’m really trying to decide what is “good enough” when it comes to my needs.

you could just put a vault room addition on your house

If I was buying a safe I would spend the most I could afford, unlike most things in life, it really is worth spending the extra money on a quality safe. Cry once and be done.

I'm prepared already to spend at least $2,000, so I don't think I'm cheaping out. The question is whether I should spend $3,000 instead. Or maybe $4,000. Either would take additional savings.

Edit: What are you guys using for storage, anyway? I presently have a Stack-On locking gun cabinet that I picked up from a sporting-goods store a few years ago. It’s probably sufficient to keep out children or the most casual of thieves, but based upon what I’ve learned in my recent research on safes, a decently strong guy with a pry bar could probably pop it open in less than a minute.

So, Ruger SR22 or Walther P22? I am looking for a good beginner 22 for my wife, and she doesn't want a revolver. Any opinions on these? They seem to be very similar guns. I have never shot a Ruger or Walther so I don't really have a preference.

I have a question regarding changing the stock on my 870 12 gauge. Has anyone ever done it? I'm thinking of getting the blackhawk collapsible stock and putting it on to make it lighter/more of a tactical look. My goal is 1.) to make it look sweet and 2.) make it easier for my fiancee to shoot it. As it stands now, she has trouble holding it and there is absolutely no give in the current wood stock. Anyone ever do this? How hard is it going to be?

I can’t speak to the SR22 or P22. I can say that just about every one of my shooting buddies owns either a Ruger Mark II or III or a 22/45, and we all love them. I think a basic 22/45 costs even less than the SR22 as well.